Dolphins are small whales, ranging in length from about 1 to 3.5 metres. Whether they are called “dolphins” or “porpoises” seems to be a matter of preference. Either name is correct.
Image Source: www.wikipedia.org
There are several reasons why scientists consider the dolphin to be an unusually intelligent animal. Many of them have been known to imitate human speech quite distinctly and without even being urged to do so. They can also learn to understand human words and respond to them.
Students of animal behaviour have two other reasons for considering the dolphin intelligent. Dolphins are able to invent and play games. For example, suppose there is a feather floating about in a tank of water, a dolphin will get the feather and bring it near the jet of water entering the tank. The feather drifts into the jet and goes shooting off. The dolphin pursues it, catches it, brings it back and again releases it into the jet.
Dolphins have invented games with small rubber inner tubes. They will toss the tube to someone standing by the tank and wait for the person to toss it back to them so they can catch it. This kind of play is considered a sign of intelligence.
Dolphins can also solve problems. If a piece of food is stuck under a rock, they can find a way to “blow” the food out from under the rock.
Just how intelligent dolphins are has not been tested. This is because there is no intelligence test by which animals as different as dogs and chimpanzees and dolphins can be rated.
Image Source: www.wikipedia.org
Students of animal behaviour have two other reasons for considering the dolphin intelligent. Dolphins are able to invent and play games. For example, suppose there is a feather floating about in a tank of water, a dolphin will get the feather and bring it near the jet of water entering the tank. The feather drifts into the jet and goes shooting off. The dolphin pursues it, catches it, brings it back and again releases it into the jet.
Dolphins have invented games with small rubber inner tubes. They will toss the tube to someone standing by the tank and wait for the person to toss it back to them so they can catch it. This kind of play is considered a sign of intelligence.
Dolphins can also solve problems. If a piece of food is stuck under a rock, they can find a way to “blow” the food out from under the rock.
Just how intelligent dolphins are has not been tested. This is because there is no intelligence test by which animals as different as dogs and chimpanzees and dolphins can be rated.
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